CA GOP bars media from Q&A with party chairman

California Republicans are billing a big moment at their upcoming fall convention in Los Angeles as an “Ask Anything!” question-and-answer session with state GOP Chairman Jim Brulte.

But if you’re a member of the media, you don’t get in at all — not even to watch, the party has decided.

The event is scheduled for Sept. 20, day two of a three-day state Republican convention at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. The star attractions at the gathering are potential 2016 presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and the Republicans’ new House majority leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.

#Ask the Chairman: Q & A with Senator Jim Brulte (Ret.)CRP Delegates Only: Don’t miss your chance to ask the Chairman everything you wanted to know about the CRP. A frank discussion about where we were, where we are, and where we’re going.
Saturday, 2:00 – 3:30 pmClosed press, CRP Delegate badge required

No reporters allowed to witness the exchange between the party’s chairman and hundreds of delegates.

She defended “an invitation for delegates to ask questions of the chairman about party strategy and operations that would not get asked in front of reporters.”

What’s there to hide? we asked.

GOP state party vice chairwoman Harmeet Dhillon

Her response:

“There are open press and closed press events at every convention (Brulte) has run. There will be open press events and press conferences at this convention. Closed press is to allow delegates to ask him sensitive questions about strategy and finances that the public and our opponents are not entitled to know. … And neither does John Burton (the Democratic state chairman) invite the Chronicle to every meeting of delegates to his party.”